Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-02
FRIDAY. -. SEPTEMBER 2, 1887
The Democrats Of PennsylYania.

The Democrats Of Pennsylvania.
For some days before the assembling
of the Democratic State Convention of
Pennsylvania it was rumored that there
was to be in that body q desperate
fight between the Randallites and
the ScottiteS, or Singerlyites. 1t
was even asserted that Mr.. SCOTT and
Mr.. SNGERLY intended to use the in
Huence of the Administration against
Mr.. RANDALL, who was to be "knock
ed out on the first round On the
other hand, it was predicted that Mr..
RANDALL would be so strong in the
convention that his opponents would
fail to show their hands, and be glad to
be let off with an endorsement of the
Chicago platform of 1884. This latter
seems to have been n pretty good pre-
diction.
Our Geographic columns of yesterday
told the outcome. 1t was evidently
indeed avowedly--a compromise plat
form, seeing that it was unanimously
reported by the committee. Mr.. RAN
DALI and Mr. SCOTT mixed their mate
rials and constructed joint platform
out of the mixture. The Chicago plat
form says in so many words that the
duties upon imports ought to be so laid
as to cover the difference between the
prices of labor in this country and in
Europe, and makes other declarations |
to the same purport Therefore, as in |
1884, so in 1857 it was very natural for |
Democrats of al shades OF opinion
upon the tariff question to agree to
pledge themselves to stand upon that
platform.
Although the platform received the
unanimous endorsement of RANDALL
men and SCorr and SINGERIY men
alike, yet the revenue plank seems to
be almost exactly what Mr.. RANDALL
had announced beforehand he desired
it to be. 1t reads as follows:
"1st. That We renew ourallegiance to
the principles and declarations of the
platform adopted at Chicago in 1884,
which Nj Cleveland, the nominee of
the party, heartily endorsed, declaring
in his letter of acceptance L have
carefully considered the platform
adopted 10y the convention and cor
daily approve the same. So plain a
statement of Democratic principles
upon which that party appeals to
the sufirages of the people needs
no supplement or explanation 10
these principles he has faithfully
adhered in all his public utterances.
We further affirm the platform adopted
by our State convention of 1886, and
in view of the existing condition OF the
public treasury we demand, with en-
phasis, that the large surplus already
IN the Treasury shall be used to pay
the public debt, and that the current
and unnecessary increase going on
beyond the needs of Government
shall he immediately prevented by Il
wise and prudent reduction of internal
taxation and of duties on imports
in accordance with the foregoing de-
claration.
And here is what was stated in the
Philadelphia Tcicgraph beforehand as
to Mr.. RANDALL's intentions in this
regard. We quote:
"Mr. Randall and his friends declare
that they favor the reatlirmation of
the Chicago convention of 1884 upon
the subject of the tariff, and also the
passage Of a resolution pledging the
party OF the State to the fulhlment of
Its provisions. The ex-Speaker and
his followers also say that they are
heartily in favor of resolution strong
" endorsing President Cleveland and
Bis policy. Messrs. Scott, Singerly,
and others are favorable to a tariff de-
claration like that put forth by the
Democracy of OhioE
1t has been charged that Mr. RAN
DALI would never consent to demand
revision of the tariff. But he has done
so. The resolution to which he gave
bis approval both in committee and in
convention demands " a wise and pru-
dent reduction of duties on imports in
accordance with the Chicago platform.
We suppose that it will hardly be seri-
ously contended that Mr.. RANDALL's
friends did not control the convention.
We quote again from the Philadelphia
telegraph of the 3lst some paragraphs
written before the convention had done
anything
"Ibe Randall men are in good
sn;rits. and none more so than the ex-
Sneaker himself They count on at
least thirty.fve out Of the fifty Nom
hers selected for the Committee on
Resolutions. At least six OF them are
from Philadelphia. The convention
itself, il is said, will be two to one in
favor Of the Randall tariff idea.
"The Scott -Singerly element
concede that they have been beaten. .
That the 7elegraph's correspondent
was well posted beforehand the follow
ing sentence shows:
at has been whispered that there
will be no fight over the platform
that Mr.. SlDReriy has gwen up the
contest, and that Congressman Scott |
will be the chairman OF the Committee |
on Resolutions"
These whisperings proved to be true |
predictions.
After the Committee on Resolutions
had retired to consult the TSteJraph's |
correspondent writes:
$50 completely is the committee in the
hands of Dir. Randall aud his friends
that they could afford TO be magnani-
nous 10 the defeated element. Con-
gresham Scott was made chairman,
and some OF those who have been ia
yoring the Singerly platform hardly
know what TO make lit.
"The Randall element say: What
is the use OF making them feel worse ?
we have two thirds of the committee,